Ear probe tip

ABSTRACT

An improved ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal. The ear probe tip comprises a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end. The body portion inner surface defines a passage that extends the entire length of the body portion. The ear probe tip also has a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposed at spaced intervals on the outer surface of the body portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to ear probe tips, and moreparticularly to removable ear probe tips that provide for protection ofthe ear canal and provide for an enhanced self-adjusting acoustical sealbetween the ear probe tip and the ear canal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Ear probe tips of various types are well known in the art. Suchdevices are typically used in combination with testing equipment forclinical evaluation of hearing loss and/or ear disease. For example,there are procedures for evaluating hearing loss, ear disease or otherear disorders which are known as otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing andauditory brain-stem response (ABR)testing. Such tests, which rely onacoustical measurements made within the patient's ear canal, include thestep of closing off the ear canal with a probe or a removable probe tip.The probe tip may form a seal between the ear canal and the probe tip sothat the transmission and receipt of acoustical signals within theclosed cavity may be controlled. Several other hearing tests use probeswith tips.

[0003] However, previous ear probe tips have some inherentdisadvantages. One of the disadvantages with prior art tips is that theyrequire an acoustical sound passage or else the test procedure willproduce unreliable results. Requiring the tip to include an acousticalsound passage is undesirable because this adds to the cost ofmanufacturing each tip.

[0004] Another disadvantage is that they are not well adapted todifferent ears. Persons' ears differ in size and shape and have outerear canals of varying configurations. As a result, great difficultieshave been encountered with prior ear probe tips because in mostsituations, the tip exerts too great a pressure on the ear canal, failsto provide a good acoustic seal between it and the ear canal, or doesnot prevent the hard inflexible probe end from extending past the tipthereby increasing the risk of resulting damage to the person's ear.

[0005] The present invention overcomes these and other problems inherentin existing ear probe tips. The present invention provides an ear probetip that fits around the probe. A feature of an embodiment of the earprobe tip is that flexible flanges form a substantial acoustic sealbetween the probe and the outer ear canal for a wide range of ear canalsize, thereby permitting ear testing to be done quickly and convenientlywithout critical adjustments of the probe or of the probe tip. This isof particular value in the case of children or other patients who mayhave a short attention span or an inability to cooperate in the testprocedures. Further, in one embodiment, the probe tip is designed sothat it can receive the probe, whereby the probe tip can be positionedfully over the probe while still allowing the probe tip's end toslightly extend past the end of the probe. This configuration does notrequire each probe tip to comprise an acoustical channel, therebyminimizing the cost to manufacture each probe tip. Further, since thecost is minimized, the probe tip can be disposed of after one usethereby eliminating the need for probe cleaning and providing optimalinfection control.

[0006] The principal object of the present invention is to provide animproved ear probe tip for use with testing apparatus for hearing lossor other ear problems.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel earprobe tip of more efficient form for providing better sealing betweenthe probe tip and a wide range of ear canal size.

[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide anovel ear probe tip that protects the ear from the probe when the probeis inserted into the ear canal.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a novelear probe tip that will provide for enhanced retention of the ear probetip once the ear probe tip is received by the ear canal.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a novelremovable ear probe tip that secures easily to a probe end.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a novelear probe tip which is simple in design and inexpensive to construct,and is durable and rugged in structure.

[0012] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings of the invention.

[0013] These and other objects are achieved by an ear probe tip of thepresent invention. In one form of the invention, an ear probe tip isprovided which comprises a body portion having an inner surface, anouter surface, a first end and a second end. The body portion innersurface defines a passage that extends the entire length of the bodyportion. The ear probe tip also has a plurality of flexible annularflanges disposed at spaced intervals on the outer surface of the bodyportion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the ear probetip of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the ear probe tip of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a view of the ear probe tip of FIG. 1 shown in place onan ear probe end;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of theear probe tip of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of another alternate embodimentof the ear probe tip of FIG. 1; and

[0019]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of another alternate embodimentof the ear probe tip of FIG. 1 shown in place on an ear probe end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the ear probetip 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 1,the ear probe tip 10 comprises a body portion 20 and a plurality offlexible annular flanges 23, 24, 25, 26. The body portion 20 may be tubeshaped and hollow (as shown in FIG. 1) and have a passage 22, a firstend 27 and a second end 28. In one embodiment, the passage 22 extendsthe entire length of and runs axially through the body portion 20. Thesecond end 28 of the body portion 20 has a chamfer 29 (see FIG. 2). Thechamfer 29 may, for example, be cut at a 45 degree angle from thepassage 22 longitudinal centerline. The chamfer 29 facilitates theinsertion of the probe 50 into the tip 10. Body portion 20 may, forexample, have an inner diameter of 0.134 inches and an outer diameter of0.154 inches or any other diameters that provide for proper operation ofthe tip 10 for use in a specific application. Passage 22 may, in analternate embodiment, run the entire length of the body portion 20 at adistance offset the body portion 20 axis.

[0021] A plurality of flexible annular flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 aredisposed on the exterior of body portion 20. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and3, in one embodiment the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 are attachedsubstantially perpendicular to the body portion 20. As an example, theflange 23 proximal the first end 27 may have an outer diameter of 0.200inches, so as to fit securely and sealably into the internal portion ofthe ear canal. Also, as measured from the flange 23 longitudinalcenterline, the flange 23 may be offset from the first aperture 0.096inches or any other distance that is necessary for proper performance ofthe tip 10. In the illustrated embodiment (FIGS. 1, 2, 3), each flange23, 24, 25, 26 that is distal the flange 23, 24, 25, 26 has aprogressively greater outer diameter. Accordingly, flange 24, 25, 26 mayhave outer diameters of 0.238, 0.275 and 0.312 inches, respectively, tosealably and securely fit into the ear canal. Each flange 23, 24, 25, 26may be 0.112 inches apart from the flange 23, 24, 25, 26 adjacent to itas measured along the longitudinal centerline of each flange 23, 24, 25,26 or the flange 23, 24, 25, 26 longitudinal centerline spacing can beany other distance necessary for proper performance of the tip 10. Asshown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment the tip 10 hasfour flanges 23, 24, 25, 26. However, alternate embodiments can have anynumber of flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 that provide for proper operation ofthe tip 10. Also, an alternate embodiment may have no flanges 23, 24,25, 26. In this embodiment, the body portion 20 provides the necessaryseal with the ear canal. Further, alternate embodiments may provideflanges 23, 24, 25, 26 of varying thickness and shapes. Thecross-sectional shape of the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26, for example, mayhave virtually any shape such as a circle, triangle, square, etc.Flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 may taper as they extend outwardly away from thebody portion 20.

[0022] To ensure a comfortable fit and to provide the necessary seal, inone embodiment the tip 10 may be made of alpha gary pvc 3019-40/45 orsome other suitable soft flexible material such as latex or silicone.This type of material will also prevent the patient's ear from beingscratched or otherwise injured by the tip 10. The material can also betransparent to allow for easy detection of vernix, cerumen, or waxbuild-up in the tip 10.

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the tip 10 in place over aprobe 50 and positioned adjacent a probe base 48. The probe base 48 andprobe 50 are components of an existing hearing testing apparatus. Whenthe tip 10 is fully positioned over a probe end 52 (as in FIG. 3), thetip 10 extends past the end of the probe end 52, thereby preventing theprobe end 52 from coming into contact with the ear. This further ensuresthat the patient's ear will not be scratched or otherwise injured by therigid probe end 52. Also, as can best be seen in FIG. 3, in a preferredembodiment the passage 22 should be adapted and sized to accept theprobe end 52 so that substantially the entire length of the passage 22can receive the probe end 52 thereby eliminating the need for thepassage 22 to form an acoustic channel. This design feature considerablyreduces the manufacturing costs of the tip 10. Further, when fully inplace over the probe end 52, the second end 28 may rest substantiallyflush against the probe base 48. This arrangement further ensures thatthe tip 10 does not move out of proper operating position with respectto the probe end 52 when the tip 10 is inserted into the ear canal.

[0024]FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment ofthe tip 10 of the present invention. The flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 may beattached to the body portion 20 so that the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26extend outwardly and rearwardly toward second end 28. Depending on theconfiguration of the ear canal that the tip 10 is inserted into, thisflange 23, 24, 25, 26 arrangement may further prevent the tip 10 fromslipping out of the ear canal. This flange 23, 24, 25, 26 arrangementmay also provide an enhanced acoustical seal between the ear canal andthe tip 10.

[0025]FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of another alternateembodiment of the tip 10 of the present invention. As shown in theexample of FIG. 5, body portion sections 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 may be ofvarying outer diameters, e.g., 0.140, 0.155, 0.165, 0.175, 0.185 inches,respectively. Depending on the configuration of the ear canal that thetip 10 is inserted into, varied outer diameters of body portion sections32, 34, 36, 38, 40 may further provide an enhanced acoustical sealbetween the ear canal and the tip 10. This body portion section 32, 34,36, 38, 40 configuration may further prevent the tip 10 from slippingout of the ear canal.

[0026] Also, a ring 30 may be disposed on the body portion 20 betweenthe second end 28 and the flange 26. The ring 30 may be grasped by handto facilitate positioning the ear probe tip 10 over the probe 50.Further, it is desirable to grasp the ring 30 instead of the flanges 23,24, 25, 26, because if the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 are damaged the earprobe tip 10 will not operate properly. Accordingly, the ring 30 may belocated 0.100 inches from the second end 28 as measured from the ringcenter line. The ring 30 may have a radius of 0.050 inches or whateverother radius necessary for proper performance of the ear probe tip 10.The ring 30 cross sectional area may be in the shape of a half circle orany other shape necessary for proper performance of the ear probe tip10. The ring 30 may be continuous or non-continuous around the outersurface of the body portion 20.

[0027] Further, in an alternate embodiment, body portion 20 innersurface diameter may increase in size along the length of the bodyportion 20 toward the second end 28. Body portion inner surface diameterat the first end 27 and the second end 28 may be, for example, 0.110 and0.127 inches, respectively. This configuration may provide for enhancedpositioning of the ear probe tip 10 over the probe 10.

[0028]FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of still another alternateembodiment of the tip 10 of the present invention shown in place on anear probe end. As illustrated in FIG. 6, body portion 20 inner surfacediameter may increase in size near the second end 28 so that it is sizedto fit snugly over a probe base extension 49 when the tip 10 is fully inplace over the probe end 52 and the second end 28 is substantially flushagainst probe base 48. This configuration may provide for enhancedpositioning of the ear probe tip 10 over the probe end 52. As shown inFIG. 6, there may be more than one probe end 52 positioned adjacent eachother that the tip 10 will fit over.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, body portion sections 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 maybe of varying outer diameters, e.g., 0.140, 0.155, 0.165, 0.175, 0.185inches, respectively. Depending on the configuration of the ear canalthat the tip 10 is inserted into, varied outer diameters of body portionsections 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 may further provide an enhanced acousticalseal between the ear canal and the tip 10. This body portion section 32,34, 36, 38, 40 configuration may further prevent the tip 10 fromslipping out of the ear canal.

[0030] However, alternate embodiments can have any number of flanges 23,24, 25, 26 that provide for proper operation of the tip 10. Also, analternate embodiment may have no flanges 23, 24, 25, 26. In thisembodiment, the body portion 20 provides the necessary seal with the earcanal. Further, alternate embodiments may provide flanges 23, 24, 25, 26of varying thickness and shapes. The cross-sectional shape of theflanges 23, 24, 25, 26, for example, may have virtually any shape suchas a circle, triangle, square, etc. Flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 may taper asthey extend outwardly away from the body portion 20.

[0031] Also, a ring 30 may be disposed on the body portion end 21 (orbody portion 20) between the second end 28 and the flange 26. The ring30 may be grasped by hand to facilitate positioning the ear probe tip 10over the probe end 52. Further, it is desirable to grasp the ring 30instead of the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26, because if the flanges 23, 24,25, 26 are damaged the ear probe tip 10 may not operate properly.Accordingly, the ring 30 may be located 0.100 inches from the second end28 as measured from the ring center line. The ring 30 may have a radiusof 0.050 inches or whatever other radius necessary for properperformance of the ear probe tip 10. The ring 30 cross sectional areamay be in the shape of a half circle or any other shape necessary forproper performance of the ear probe tip 10. The ring 30 may becontinuous or non-continuous around the outer surface of the bodyportion 20.

[0032] Referring back to FIG. 3, when using the tip 10, the tip 10 (orif present the ring 30) is grasped by hand and the tip 10 is pushed overthe probe end 52. The tip 10 is positioned over the probe end 52 so thattip 10 extends past the probe end 52. When the probe end 52 with the tip10 securely in place is inserted into the patient's ear canal, theflanges 23, 24, 25, 26 bend and flex where necessary so that theplurality of flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 form a self-adjusting acoustic sealbetween the tip 10 and the outer ear canal of the user. The flanges 23,24, 25, 26 are designed to ensure that the radial extent of the flanges23, 24, 25, 26 provides the necessary contact area between each flange23, 24, 25, 26 and the ear canal to create the required seal. The sealsubstantially prevents ambient noise from entering the ear canal. Theflanges 23, 24, 25, 26 also provide for the tip 10 to remain securelypositioned in the ear canal, thereby minimizing the amount of timenecessary to perform the procedure. This is especially desirable in thecase of children and certain other patients who may have a shortattention span or an inability to cooperate during the test procedures.Further, body portion 20 is designed to prevent appreciable compressionin the longitudinal direction in order to prevent the probe end 52 fromexiting the first aperture 27, extending past the tip 10 and scratchingor otherwise injuring the ear. Also note that it is desirable for theflange 23 to be offset from the first end 27 because the body portion 20may by itself provide a proper seal when it is inserted into an earcanal that is substantially the same dimension as the outer diameter ofthe body portion 20. Therefore, by having the flange 23 offset from thefirst end 27, the tip 10 can adapt to fit a larger variety of ear canalsizes. Provided the tip 10 is secured in the ear canal, whether by atleast one flange 23, 24, 25, 26, or by just the body portion 20 and theseal is formed, the appropriate testing can commence.

[0033] For example, one form of clinical test that requires a probe beinserted into a patient's ear canal is OAE. During OAE testing, twosignals are delivered to the probe 50 and pass through the probe 50 pastthe first end 27 and into the patient's ear. The tones then travelthrough the patient's ear canal until they come into the middle earwhere they are partially absorbed and partially result in a returndifference signal propagated back toward the first end 27 whereby theyare channeled back into the passage 22 because of the seal created bythe flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 and the users ear canal. The signal channeledback into the passage 22 continues into the probe 50 and is detected bya low noise microphone which delivers a signal to the OAE testing devicebeing used during this specific testing procedure. The signal issubsequently analyzed to determine the condition of the patient's ear.

[0034] Specific embodiments of novel methods and apparatus forconstruction of novel ear probe tips according to the present inventionhave been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in whichthe invention is made and used. It should be understood that theimplementation of other variations and modifications of the inventionand its various aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, andthat the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described.Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention any and allmodifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the truespirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed andclaimed herein.

We claim:
 1. An ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can beinserted into an ear canal, the ear probe tip comprising: a body portionhaving an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end,the inner surface defining a passage that extends the entire length ofthe body portion; and a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposedat spaced intervals on the outer surface of the body portion.
 2. The earprobe tip of claim 1 wherein the body portion is tube shaped.
 3. The earprobe tip of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of flanges is locatedproximal the first end and is disposed on the body portion at a distancefrom the first end.
 4. The ear probe tip of claim 1 wherein theplurality of flexible annular flanges have increasingly larger diameterstoward the second end.
 5. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein theplurality of flanges are disposed on the body portion at a backwardangle toward the second end.
 6. The ear probe tip of claim 4 furthercomprising a means for pushing the tip onto the probe.
 7. The ear probetip of claim 6 wherein the means for pushing the tip onto the probe is aring disposed on the body portion proximal the second end.
 8. The earprobe tip of claim 4 wherein the body portion outer surface diameterincreases along the length of the body portion toward the second end. 9.The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the second end further includes achamfer adjacent the body portion inner surface.
 10. The ear probe tipof claim 4 wherein the tube and the flanges are constructed of atransparent material.
 11. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the tubeand the flanges are constructed of alpha gary pvc 3019-40/45.
 12. Theear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the body portion inner surface isdimensioned to receive the probe end.
 13. The ear probe tip of claim 4wherein the body portion first end outer diameter is between 0.140 and0.185 inches.
 14. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the body portionfirst end inner surface further comprises a flange.
 15. An ear probe tipfor the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal, the earprobe tip comprising: a body portion having an inner surface, an outersurface, a first end and a second end, the inner surface defining apassage that extends the entire length of the body portion; and a meansfor creating an acoustical seal between the ear tip and the ear canal,disposed at spaced intervals on the outer surface of the body portion.16. A method for acoustically sealing an ear canal with an ear probe tippositioned over a probe end which comprises the steps of: providing theear probe tip; placing the ear probe tip substantially over the probeend whereby the probe end does not extend past the ear probe tip;inserting the probe end with the ear tip into the ear canal; and flexingthe ear probe tip so that an acoustical seal forms between the ear probetip and the ear canal.
 17. An ear probe tip for the end of a probe whichcan be inserted into an ear canal, said ear probe tip comprising: a bodyportion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and asecond end, the inner surface defining a passage that extends the entirelength of the body portion; and at least one flexible annular flangedisposed on the outer surface of the body portion.
 18. The ear probe tipof claim 17 wherein the at least one flange located proximal the firstend is disposed on the body portion at a distance from the first end.19. The ear probe tip of claim 17 wherein the body portion outer surfacediameter increases along the length of the body portion toward thesecond end.
 20. The ear probe tip of claim 17 wherein the at least oneflange is disposed on the body portion at a backward angle toward thesecond end.
 21. The ear probe tip of claim 17 wherein the inner surfacediameter of the body portion increases in size along the length of thebody portion toward the second end.
 22. The ear probe tip of claim 17wherein the inner surface diameter of the body portion increases in sizealong the length of the body portion toward the second end andcommunicates with a cavity located proximal the second end.
 23. The earprobe tip of claim 22 further comprising a means for pushing the tiponto the probe.
 24. The ear probe tip of claim 23 wherein the means forpushing the tip onto the probe is a ring disposed on the body portionproximal the second end.
 25. An ear probe tip for the end of a probewhich can be inserted into an ear canal, said ear probe tip comprising:a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first endand a second end, wherein the outer surface has a diameter whichincreases along the antecedent length of the body portion toward thesecond end; and a passage defined by the inner surface that extendssubstantially the length of the body portion.
 26. The ear probe tip ofclaim 25 wherein the passage has a diameter which increases from thefirst end to the second end.
 27. The ear probe tip of claim 26 furthercomprising a means for pushing the tip onto the probe.
 28. The ear probetip of claim 27 wherein the means for pushing the tip onto the probe isa ring disposed on the body portion proximal the second end.
 29. The earprobe tip of claim 25 wherein the inner surface diameter of the bodyportion increases in size near the second end.
 30. An ear probe tip forthe end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal, said earprobe tip comprising: a body portion having an inner surface, an outersurface, a first end and a second end, wherein the inner surfacediameter of the body portion increases in size near the second end; anda ring disposed on the outer surface of the body portion proximal thesecond end.
 31. The ear probe tip of claim 30 further comprising atleast one flexible annular flange disposed on the outer surface of thebody portion at a distance from the first end.